Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Brad Jones: Publisher
Matt Wecht: Researcher
Jake Ecker: Editor
Zoey Kim: Researcher

ribosome.jpg



Components:


The components of rRNA consist of phosphates and amino acids compiled into one strand.

physical description:


The ribosomal RNAs form two subunits, the large subunit (LSU) and small subunit (SSU).
A ribosome also has 3 binding sites called A, P, and E.
Small Subunit

Small Subunit
Small Subunit

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/10_small_subunit.gif
3-D animation


Where it is formed: Molecules of rRNA are synthesized in a specialized region of the cell nucleus called the nucleolus, which appears as a dense area within the nucleus and contains the genes that encode rRNA.


nucleus.jpg
Where it is found: rRNA is found mainly in the cytoplasm of the cell, however they can also be found on the endoplasmic reticulum.

Job of rRNA: rRNA are the protein builders of the cell. They connect amino acids to build long chains, and those are known as proteins.

How the molecule works: The rRNA provides a technique for decoding mRNA into Amino Acids and that is how the rRNA synthesizes proteins in living cells during translation.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Translation.gif


Ribosome Animation

Websites:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/502158/ribosomal-RNA-rRNA
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/RRNA
http://www.biology4kids.com/files/cell_ribos.html
http://helix-web.stanford.edu/ribo.html